How To Build Your Brand Or Network || The Vintage Scarf Trend

Brand and Network in recent times goes hand in hand. In a recent post, I talked about Branding And Networking after attending The Bloggers Point Brunch. A whole lot of us have brands but we have failed to build it. We complain about how it has remain stagnant and lacks growth but how much of our time and money do we put into watching it grow from a baby to an adult. Your brand is who you are, it represents you. Whatever you will do to yourself to help you grow, apply same to your brand.

Are you a blogger, entrepreneur, make up artist, beauty enthusiast, vlogger, event manager, interior decorator, master of ceremony among others? If your answer is yes, then that is your brand.

Here are a few tips that I have used and also read on that can help up you grow your brand or network.

#1: Be visible and accessible

Don’t just be someone that everyone look up to. Come down your high horse and be accessible. You can’t sit atop and be acting bossy and waiting for potential customers to seek you out. Come out of your comfort zone. Show the real you on social media and what you are behind the glam and filter. Most people appreciates someone they can easily access than one who they cannot even identify with. Interact and socialize with your followers.

#2: Know Your Customer

Who are you trying to sell to? Who do you want your content to reach? How should you design and create it? Stay up to date with the trends. Know your competitor and do better.

#3: Have a Strong Value Proposition

Develop your core values. Leverage on it to reach out to who your target audience/consumers are. What makes you unique? Tell them this. Let them know why they should work with you. Do not imitate your competitors, do differently.

#4: Build an Online Presence

Are you using social media the right way? What content do you put out there? Do you have a LinkedIn Account? No, No…Why? You can google how to use these accounts, you personally need them to build your brand. Make use of Insta stories, Whatsapp Stories, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, Tumblr…there’s no limitation to how many account you can use. It is called marketing and branding. Put yourself out there. And make sure your accounts have similar name. Like I use Debwritesblog/Debs for all my Social Media accounts except Snapchat though.

#5: Attend Event and Network

You can start by searching for free events in your niche. Attend them, and network. Meet new networks and keep in touch. Two days ago, there was an #Agon event here in Abuja. From what I gathered, it is a large event and always have large turnouts. Such events are one where you can easily make a presence and identity. Print fliers, make a T-Shirts and get your friends/customers to wear them. Gist and socialize with other brands, patronise them and tell them about your brand too. Share your contact/business cards, you should have these if you do not.

#6: Dress the Part

How can you be a fashion designer and you wear ready made and outfits from boutiques hanger? Just how please? You are supposed to always stand out in head turning outfit from your own store.

Aside this, as a brand owner, it is only proper you look your best whenever you are stepping out of your comfort zones. I know we all have bad days, but on days when you aren’t feeling low, dress the part. Dress like the boss that you are, you’d never know who you’d be meeting or where you’d end up before nightfall. No one will take a tardy looking person serious for a boss or trust them. Remember that, appearance speaks volume.

#7: Host Giveaway

As much as I would love to keep writing on this as the list is endless, I would stop here. As a brand, you should do giveaways from time to time. You can partner with other brands or do this alone buy giving out from your own products or services. That way you are giving yourself more visibility and recognition.

Which of these are you guilty of as a brand? Try these and let me know how helpful they are. You can also send me an e-mail should you need more tips on growing your brand. I am just a mail away debwritesblog201@gmail.com.

On my Vintage Scarf, I decided to join the trend by ‘mistake’. I really wanted to wear a peplum top on that particular day to work, and the cut is a bit too deep. So I remember purchasing some vintage scarves from Slayrite_Merchandise on Instagram and decided to throw it on. And it doesn’t look so bad after all, does it?